Speak Up: Self-Advocacy Skills

Janet Marino

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Speak Up: Self-Advocacy Skills

Understanding Self-Advocacy

This lesson introduces middle school students to the concept of self-advocacy, emphasizing its importance in personal and academic settings. Through a blended learning approach, students will engage in discussions and complete a worksheet to reinforce their understanding. This lesson is crucial as it empowers students to express their needs and make informed decisions, fostering independence and confidence.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Blended Learning

Materials

Discussion Questions, Self-Advocacy Worksheet, and Video: How to Be More Confident

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Begin with a brief explanation of self-advocacy: the ability to speak up for oneself and make decisions about one's own life.
Highlight why self-advocacy is important, especially in school and personal life.
Show the video How to Be More Confident to introduce assertiveness.

Step 2

Discussion

10 mins

Facilitate a discussion using the provided questions.
Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences related to self-advocacy.
Guide the discussion to cover key points about the benefits and challenges of self-advocacy.

Step 3

Worksheet Activity

10 mins

Distribute the Self-Advocacy Worksheet.
Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually or in pairs.
Walk around to assist and answer any questions.

Step 4

Closure

5 mins

Ask a few students to share their answers from the worksheet.
Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson.
Encourage students to practice self-advocacy in their daily lives.

Discussion

Self-Advocacy Discussion

A guided discussion to explore the concept of self-advocacy and its importance.

What does self-advocacy mean to you?

Encourage students to think about situations where they had to speak up for themselves.

Why is self-advocacy important in school?

Discuss how self-advocacy can help in academic settings, such as asking for help or clarifying doubts.

Can you share a time when you had to advocate for yourself?

Allow students to share personal stories, emphasizing the positive outcomes of self-advocacy.

Worksheet

Self-Advocacy Worksheet

A worksheet designed to help students reflect on and understand self-advocacy.

Define self-advocacy in your own words.

Think about what it means to speak up for yourself.

List three reasons why self-advocacy is important.

Consider how it can help you in school and life.

Describe a situation where you might need to use self-advocacy.

Think about a time when you need to express your needs or make a decision.